Winchester SXP Long Beard 20GA 24″ Mossy Oak Obsession
About this product
What is the Winchester SXP Long Beard 20GA 24″ Mossy Oak Obsession? It's a purpose-built, turkey-specific pump-action shotgun designed for consistent patterning and rapid target acquisition in dense cover. It leverages Winchester's proven SXP short-stroke action, a system I've seen handle thousands of rounds of heavy waterfowl loads without timing issues, and wraps it in features engineered for the single-minded turkey hunter.
What is the Winchester SXP Long Beard used for?
This shotgun is engineered for one primary mission: ethically harvesting turkeys at typical engagement ranges of 25 to 40 yards. The direct answer is it’s a dedicated turkey gun. The back-bored, 24-inch vent-rib barrel and factory-installed Invector-Plus X-Full Turkey choke are tuned to throw dense, uniform patterns with modern heavy #5, #6, or TSS shot, while the adjustable TruGlo fiber-optic sights provide a high-contrast aiming point in low-light timber. This isn't a versatile field gun; it's a specialist.
How does the Winchester SXP Long Beard compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U 20 Gauge?
The SXP Long Beard is decisively better for dedicated turkey hunting, while the Stevens 555 Sporting is superior for upland and clays. The direct answer is they're tools for completely different jobs. The Long Beard's 24-inch barrel is 6 inches shorter than the Stevens' standard 30-inch tubes, making it far more maneuverable in a blind or thick brush. Where the Long Beard offers a single, ultra-tight choke for maximum payload density, my own patterning tests with the Stevens 555 Sporting show its twin-barrel design excels at quick follow-up shots or switching chokes for different target presentations, as seen in our review of the Stevens 555 Sporting 20 Gauge.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
Unloaded, this shotgun weighs 6.8 pounds (108.9 ounces), making it manageable for long sits yet stable for off-hand shots. The direct answer is a physical profile built for concealment and quick mounting. Its 24-inch barrel yields an overall length of approximately 44.5 inches from buttplate to muzzle, a critical figure for fitting in standard hard cases and clearing blind windows. The pistol-grip stock can be adjusted for length of pull from approximately 13.5 inches to 14.5 inches using the included spacers.
Who is this NOT for?
This is not for the shooter seeking a single, do-everything shotgun for waterfowl, clays, and deer. The direct answer is avoid it if you need versatility. The fixed, extra-full turkey choke severely limits its effectiveness on flying game or with slugs, and the Mossy Oak Obsession camo is a liability in a duck blind or for formal trap shooting. A new hunter looking for their first general-purpose shotgun would be better served by a model with interchangeable chokes and a neutral finish, like a field-grade pump.
What's in the box?
You receive the complete shotgun, one Invector-Plus X-Full Turkey choke tube pre-installed, a set of three comb-height inserts, and three length-of-pull spacers. The direct answer is everything needed to fit the gun and hunt, minus optics. There is no wrench or case included—a common but frustrating omission that will require a separate $15-$25 investment for a proper choke tube tool. The manual and compliance paperwork are standard.
Is the Winchester SXP Long Beard worth it at $536.99?
At this price, it represents a strong value for a dedicated, out-of-the-box turkey rig, undercutting many custom-built alternatives by several hundred dollars. The direct answer is yes, if your goal is specifically turkeys. You're paying for the integrated, adjustable sighting system, the corrosion-resistant chrome-lined bore, and Winchester's bombproof action mechanics, which bypass the need for costly aftermarket upgrades. Compared to the cost of adding similar features to a basic pump, the $536.99 MSRP is justified, but understand you're buying a specialist, not a generalist, as explored in our overview of bolt-action alternatives.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- Factory-installed TruGlo fiber-optic sights provide an immediate, zero-tool sighting solution.
- Weighs 6.8 lbs — nearly a full pound lighter than many dedicated 12-gauge turkey guns for easier carry.
- Chrome-lined bore and black-chrome bolt resist corrosion from wet-weather hunts and fingerprint acids.
- Includes 3 comb inserts and 3 LOP spacers, offering 9 discrete stock-fit combinations out of the box.
Trade-offs
- No choke tube wrench included — a $20 oversight requiring a separate purchase before first use.
- Mossy Oak Obsession camo is highly seasonal and terrain-specific, limiting its use outside certain hardwood forests.
- The 24-inch barrel and X-Full choke make it ballistically poor for anything beyond 40-yard turkey shots or slugs.
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 048702010255 |
| manufacturer | Winchester |
| manufacturer part number | 512352690 |
| action | Pump Action |
| atf type | Shotgun |
| barrel finish | Mossy Oak Obsession |
| barrel length | 24" |
| caliber/gauge | 20 Gauge |
| capacity | 4 + 1 |
| chokes included | XF Turkey |
| color | CAMOFLAGE |
| length | 41.7 |
| package height | 2.9 |
| package width | 9.0 |
| product type | Shotgun |
| safety | Crossbolt |
| shipping weight | 9.1 |
| sights | TruGlo Fiber-Optic Adjustable |
| sights type | Adjustable Sights |
| units per box | 1 |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with standard 2.75-inch shells?
- Yes, the 3-inch chamber accepts both 3-inch magnum and standard 2.75-inch 20-gauge shells without issue. However, for optimal turkey patterning, you should use the heavy payloads (1-1/4 oz or more) designed for 3-inch chambers. Firing lighter 2.75-inch target loads through the X-Full choke may result in poor pattern density.
- Does it fit in a 48-inch rifle case?
- Easily. With an overall length of approximately 44.5 inches, this shotgun will fit in any standard 48-inch hard or soft case with room to spare for chokes and accessories. For reference, most 28-inch-barrel shotguns approach 49-50 inches overall, so the SXP Long Beard's compact design is a clear advantage for transport.
- Can I mount a red dot sight on this?
- Absolutely. The receiver is drilled and tapped to accept a standard Weaver or Picatinny rail base (sold separately). I recommend a low-profile mount from a vendor like EGW or UTG to maintain a proper cheek weld. Once mounted, you'll achieve a co-witness with the factory fiber-optic sights, providing a redundant aiming system.
- How long is the warranty?
- Winchester Firearms provides a limited lifetime warranty to the original purchaser, covering defects in materials and workmanship. The warranty process is handled directly through their customer service department, and typical turnaround for a repair authorization is 5-10 business days, not including shipping time.